System for removing snow and ice from paved surfaces

ABSTRACT

A closed two pipe underground system having closed end caps and side openings is disposed below the paved surface. Heated air is circulated through the system and flows between openings to heat the surface to melt snow and ice.

United States Patent Reid Sept. 11, 1973 l SYSTEM FOR REMOVING SNOW AND ICE [56] References Cited FROM PAVED SURFACES UNITED STATES PATENTS [76] Inventor: Thomas Reid, Ackermans Tr. Pk., 3,007,256 11/1961 Rouy 34/237 RFD 2, Salem, NH. 765,476 7/1904 Goodwin 237/69 l22] Filed: 1972 Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton [21] Appl. NO; 216,209 Attorney-Harold E. Cole 57 AB T [52] US. Cl 219/213, 165/45, 165/56, 1 STRAC 5/108, 219/365 219/369 A closed two pipe underground system having closed 51] Cl. HOSb no) end caps and side openings is disposed below the paved 58] Field 365 367 surface. Heated air is circulated through the system and 219/369-37I STS ESH/SQ' 34/237 1657108 flows between openings to heat the surface to melt 181 i 53 snow and ice.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SYSTEM FOR REMOVING SNOW AND ICE FROM PAVED SURFACES FIELD OF THE INVENTION My invention is directed toward a system for removing snow and ice from paved surfaces by heating same until the snow and ice is completely melted.

SUMMARY To this end, crushed rock is disposed beneath the surface. Buried in the rock are first and second spaced parallel hollow pipes with side openings facing each other. A heat source provides heated air to a blower device. The suction end of the device is connected to one end of one pipe. The discharge end is connected to one end of the other pipe. The opposite ends of both pipes are sealed.

The heated air thus circulates w'thin and between the pipes and heats the paved surfaces to a temperature at which any snow or ice thereon is completely melted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan of my invention; a

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing my invention in use; and

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the structure of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT sides of the driveway. The pipes have spaced slots or.

openings 24 in the walls which face each other.

One end of pipe 20 is connected to the suction side 26. The opposite ends of pipes 20 and 22 are sealed.

In use blower 26 forces air through pipe 22 and out of the slots. The air then passes through the spaces between the pieces of crushed rock into the slots of pipe 20 and flows back to the blower.

I-Ieat source 32, which can be gas or oil fired or even electrically powered, heats the air, in the blower. The heated air then heats the paved surface to melt snow and/or ice as previously described.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new is:

1. Apparatus for heating a paved surface to melt snow or frozen material thereon, said surface having a recess below the top thereof, pieces of material supporting said surface interspersed in said recess whereby air may circulate between said pieces, two perforated conduits extending amongst said pieces, and being laterally spaced from each other, a blower having a discharge opening communicating with one said conduit and having an intake-opening communicating with the other said conduit, and heating means adjacent to and adapted to provide heat to said blower. v

2. Apparatus as of claim. 1, .said pieces of material being crushed rock.

- 3. Apparatus as of claim 1, said conduits being circumferentially surrounded by said pieces of material.

4. Apparatus as of claim 1, said conduits being laterally opposite each other.

5. Apparatus as of claim 4, said conduits being of substantially equal length. a

30 of blower 26. A corresponding end of pipe 22 is con- 6. Apparatus as of claim 1, said conduits being closed at their outside ends.

7. Apparatus as of claim 1, said perforations in each of said conduits being at an inner side thereof, whereby air from one said conduit is'directed towards the said perforations in the other'said conduit.

8. Apparatus as of claim 5 in combination with a driveway formed of said paved surface, said conduits being located adjacent the side extremities of said driveway. t 

1. Apparatus for heating a paved surface to melt snow or frozen material thereon, said surface having a recess below the top thereof, pieces of material supporting said surface interspersed in said recess whereby air may circulate between said pieces, two perforated conduits extending amongst said pieces, and being laterally spaced from each other, a blower having a discharge opening communicating with one said conduit and having an intake opening communicating with the other said conduit, and heating means adjacent to and adapted to provide heat to said blower.
 2. Apparatus as of claim 1, said pieces of material being crushed rock.
 3. Apparatus as of claim 1, said conduits being circumferentially surrounded by said pieces of material.
 4. Apparatus as of claim 1, said conduits being laterally opposite each other.
 5. AppAratus as of claim 4, said conduits being of substantially equal length.
 6. Apparatus as of claim 1, said conduits being closed at their outside ends.
 7. Apparatus as of claim 1, said perforations in each of said conduits being at an inner side thereof, whereby air from one said conduit is directed towards the said perforations in the other said conduit.
 8. Apparatus as of claim 5 in combination with a driveway formed of said paved surface, said conduits being located adjacent the side extremities of said driveway. 